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On the Toltec Path: A Practical Guide to the Teachings of don Juan Matus, Carlos Castaneda, and Other Toltec Seers
An exploration of the teachings made popular by Carlos Castaneda
• Offers accessible instructions for Toltec spiritual and mystical practices
• Represents the conclusion of an 18-year learning task assigned by don Juan Matus
• Includes a new preface for this 10th anniversary edition
On the Toltec Path is an overview of the theory, discipline, and practice of the Toltec Way, a philosophy and heightened way of perceiving the world taught by the Indian seer don Juan Matus. As a philosophy, it is a method of inquiry using the Toltec three re-examination, re-interpretation, and re-formulation. As a way of perceiving the world, it offers sophisticated processes of managing perception through dreaming, visions, and learning to see the world as both ordinary and non-ordinary reality. By contrasting and balancing these two realities we are able to stand apart from both and pick and choose the best each has to offer. Learning how to become a true seer enables us to realize the purpose and meaning of our life.
The works of Carlos Castaneda have long been among the best-known introductions for those who wish to study the Toltec Way. However, many who want to learn the practical and technical aspects of this path have found it difficult to discern the details of the techniques buried in Castaneda’s narrative. In this book Ken Eagle Feather provides a complete and accessible explanation of all the technical aspects of the Toltec spiritual and mystical practices. He offers a thorough exploration of Castaneda’s works and a verification of don Juan Matus’s teachings through his own 30 years of personal experiences and observations of the Toltec Way. On the Toltec Path serves as a practical guide to the Toltec Way and offers a valuable complement to the narrative works of Castaneda and other Toltec authors.
• Offers accessible instructions for Toltec spiritual and mystical practices
• Represents the conclusion of an 18-year learning task assigned by don Juan Matus
• Includes a new preface for this 10th anniversary edition
On the Toltec Path is an overview of the theory, discipline, and practice of the Toltec Way, a philosophy and heightened way of perceiving the world taught by the Indian seer don Juan Matus. As a philosophy, it is a method of inquiry using the Toltec three re-examination, re-interpretation, and re-formulation. As a way of perceiving the world, it offers sophisticated processes of managing perception through dreaming, visions, and learning to see the world as both ordinary and non-ordinary reality. By contrasting and balancing these two realities we are able to stand apart from both and pick and choose the best each has to offer. Learning how to become a true seer enables us to realize the purpose and meaning of our life.
The works of Carlos Castaneda have long been among the best-known introductions for those who wish to study the Toltec Way. However, many who want to learn the practical and technical aspects of this path have found it difficult to discern the details of the techniques buried in Castaneda’s narrative. In this book Ken Eagle Feather provides a complete and accessible explanation of all the technical aspects of the Toltec spiritual and mystical practices. He offers a thorough exploration of Castaneda’s works and a verification of don Juan Matus’s teachings through his own 30 years of personal experiences and observations of the Toltec Way. On the Toltec Path serves as a practical guide to the Toltec Way and offers a valuable complement to the narrative works of Castaneda and other Toltec authors.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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223 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 30, 2014
Some folks seem to object to the fact that Ken Eagle Feather claims that he, like Castaneda, knew and was instructed by Don Juan, and think he made this up. This, however, is the same objection people make about Castaneda himself, so we don’t think it is particularly relevant. Ken Eagle Feather in this book isn’t trying to be another Castaneda presenting us with stories, except in a few rare examples, as a means of teaching us. Rather, he has systematically taken the Toltec path as revealed in the Castaneda books and put them together in a cogent and clear fashion for those who wish to explore that path. It is true that he sometimes changes the names for certain aspects of the path, and this seems rather arbitrary, for his changes do not produce greater clarity or understanding, but this is a minor detail. Some object that he seems egotistical and filled with self-importance, but that was not our experience. It is true that he doesn’t have the knack that Castaneda did of writing about himself in relation to Don Juan as though he was eternally clueless, which was one of the things that bothered us about Castaneda’s books that after all those years he never seemed to catch on; but of course, that was simply a writing technique and really, in its way, it worked quite well.
Honestly, if you want a fairly comprehensive book that explains the Toltec Path, this is quite a good one. Whatever you may think of Ken Eagle Feather and his claims, he does an excellent job of analyzing the sorcerer’s way.
The Silver Elves authors of The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves volume 1 and of The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves, Volume 2 volume 2.
Honestly, if you want a fairly comprehensive book that explains the Toltec Path, this is quite a good one. Whatever you may think of Ken Eagle Feather and his claims, he does an excellent job of analyzing the sorcerer’s way.
The Silver Elves authors of The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves volume 1 and of The Book of Elven Magick: The Philosophy and Enchantments of the Seelie Elves, Volume 2 volume 2.
July 14, 2012
It's very interesting book not for one reading because there is much knowledge which is difficult to take all of that.
I chose this book because of my essay into lessons of ancient religions but I hadn't had any idea it'll be that hard.
I think I understood but I'm not so far to be able to realize the things that are in the book he wrote
I chose this book because of my essay into lessons of ancient religions but I hadn't had any idea it'll be that hard.
I think I understood but I'm not so far to be able to realize the things that are in the book he wrote
August 6, 2020
This is a book on don Juan Matus’ teachings to Carlos Castenada, on the spiritual progression from matter to spirit. It is a way to view and live in the world free of constraining world views and therefore, limitations. Therefore, one is open to explore and live in wider possibilities, which to the logical mind, is of fantasy.
What is interesting about the book is that while the teachings are interesting, and somewhat fantastic from a logical point of view, the point still is to open one’s perception and worldview to possibilities beyond the social conditioning humanity has respectively had in order to re-connect to what we are already a part of. It is what religion teaches, however, the path is bogged down in dogma, and religion winds up stale or a means to reinforce superiority of one people over another.
Feather explores the energy fields – the crux of the progression from matter to spirit: The first energy field is what we are used to and is perceived via the senses- the world as we see it. The second energy field is what lies beyond the first one – humanity has always sensed that there is something more than just the physical world – the first energy field. However, taking it seriously enough to explore it further, takes deconstruction of the narrow (only) vision of the first energy field. Moreover, it takes self-reflection (in order to find, and ultimately, lose the concept of the self), discipline (to pursue the second energy field at the expense of the first one, with intent, (with impeccability and ethics being a guide). Finally, the third energy field is the exploration and engagement of the possibilities in, and of other worlds, forms and ultimately, living life in abstractions, while being (returning) to a part of a greater whole – the universe, God, etc. It is interesting to note that in the exploration of the second energy field, people become stuck, as on one hand, one feels the hint (light) of the spirit world. However and simultaneously, one becomes stuck in that hint (light) of spirit in one’s wish to share (only one way to spirit: dogma) and/or to dominate other people.
Feather points that out in the book. Yet, the techniques utilized to accomplish the progression are various, which can be utilized by people based on one’s own preferences or what resonates with him/her . However, the discipline with intent (with ethics and impeccability) are the keys to being able to both explore and go further, in the progression from matter to spirit. Overall, it is an endeavor that cannot be fully explained as it is to be pursued, explored, again with ethics and impeccability, and felt. The book is easy to read, but it is also not a book to be rushed through.
What is interesting about the book is that while the teachings are interesting, and somewhat fantastic from a logical point of view, the point still is to open one’s perception and worldview to possibilities beyond the social conditioning humanity has respectively had in order to re-connect to what we are already a part of. It is what religion teaches, however, the path is bogged down in dogma, and religion winds up stale or a means to reinforce superiority of one people over another.
Feather explores the energy fields – the crux of the progression from matter to spirit: The first energy field is what we are used to and is perceived via the senses- the world as we see it. The second energy field is what lies beyond the first one – humanity has always sensed that there is something more than just the physical world – the first energy field. However, taking it seriously enough to explore it further, takes deconstruction of the narrow (only) vision of the first energy field. Moreover, it takes self-reflection (in order to find, and ultimately, lose the concept of the self), discipline (to pursue the second energy field at the expense of the first one, with intent, (with impeccability and ethics being a guide). Finally, the third energy field is the exploration and engagement of the possibilities in, and of other worlds, forms and ultimately, living life in abstractions, while being (returning) to a part of a greater whole – the universe, God, etc. It is interesting to note that in the exploration of the second energy field, people become stuck, as on one hand, one feels the hint (light) of the spirit world. However and simultaneously, one becomes stuck in that hint (light) of spirit in one’s wish to share (only one way to spirit: dogma) and/or to dominate other people.
Feather points that out in the book. Yet, the techniques utilized to accomplish the progression are various, which can be utilized by people based on one’s own preferences or what resonates with him/her . However, the discipline with intent (with ethics and impeccability) are the keys to being able to both explore and go further, in the progression from matter to spirit. Overall, it is an endeavor that cannot be fully explained as it is to be pursued, explored, again with ethics and impeccability, and felt. The book is easy to read, but it is also not a book to be rushed through.
October 27, 2024
I respect the work of the author, his thoughts and conclusions but didn't agree with them. There is a lot of personal interpretation here that doesn't necessarily mean to be true to the teachings of Don Juan. The book is written like a manual, like if you do this you get that, hahaha just hilarious.
Changing key-words like warrior, first attention, second attention, stalking into ranger, first and second field, tracking...is merely a sad choice...don't want to investigate further into it.
It was a interesting read nonetheless for memory recap all the quotes sprawled throughout the chapters.
Changing key-words like warrior, first attention, second attention, stalking into ranger, first and second field, tracking...is merely a sad choice...don't want to investigate further into it.
It was a interesting read nonetheless for memory recap all the quotes sprawled throughout the chapters.
May 19, 2021
I wrote a new Carlos Castaneda review with the name "The Science of Seers". It has a different perspective comparing Modern Science and the wisdom of the Shamans of Ancient Mexico and also the religion while touching all the main existential questions of human beings. And for me, it puts the writings of Castaneda to the right place as it has never done before. If you could take a look and read it I will be pleased.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
May 16, 2019
Basically an encyclopedia for exploring the concepts that Castaneda wrote regarding this particular knowledge path.
February 6, 2016
I GIVE HIM THIS RATING BECAUSE HE HELPED ME WHIST HE WAS WORKING IN ARCHIVES AT THE MONROE INSTITUTE AND AT THE A.R.E. RESEARCH LIBRARIES. HE PRACTICALLY FORCED HAMPTON HOUSE TO PUBLISH MERILYN TUNNESHENDE'S BOOK...AND HE WAS CORRECT ABOUT THAT. HE DID NOT UNDERSTAND CARLOS CASTANEDA THAT WELL BUT HE HAD RESPECT FOR THE EFFORT AND THOUGHT THAT HAD GONE INTO AN EXPLORATION OF SHAMANISM ON THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT AND LIBERATION. HE FELL. AND THERE IS A CEREMONY FOR PICKING UP A FALLEN EAGLE FEATHER.
November 20, 2016
Es un libro de aplicación en la vida de los conocimientos toltecas, abre la mente y nuestras propias creencias hacia transformaciones profundas y entender que la magia esta mas cerca a la cotidianidad que a la de las fantasías. Si traspasamos el ser lectores y nos convertimos en practicantes este texto es un peldaño importante.
May 4, 2022
I didn’t particularly like the author’s new “titles” for certain members of the group since it seemed to diminish the roles of those members, but he otherwise brought much clarity to a lot of the teachings of Don Juan and even made the teachings occur less overwhelming. This is a great book to have handy for anyone looking to be on “the warrior’s path”. Lots of great tips and exercises.
March 25, 2008
Not a book for someone who is not open to more than the Chritain idea of life and death, or for anyone who can not entertain any other idea than "The Big Bang".
Otherwise, a great read!!!!
Otherwise, a great read!!!!
February 6, 2016
I.T. IS NOT THE HOME ... I.T. IS NOT THE PATH ... I WILL REFRAIN FROM REVEALING HERE WHAT I.T. REALLY IS.
August 6, 2008
Merely derivative.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews